TY - JOUR T1 - Prednisolone plus a disease modifying antirheumatic drug improved outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 79 LP - 79 DO - 10.1136/ebm.11.3.79 VL - 11 IS - 3 A2 - , Y1 - 2006/06/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/11/3/79.abstract N2 - Svensson B, Boonen A, Albertsson K, et al. Low-dose prednisolone in addition to the initial disease-modifying antirheumatic drug in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis reduces joint destruction and increases the remission rate: a two-year randomized trial. Arthritis Rheum 2005;52:3360–70.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science 
 
 Q In patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), does adding low dose prednisolone to the first use of a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) improve outcomes? Clinical impact ratings IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★★☆ Rheumatology ★★★★★☆☆ Design randomised controlled trial. Allocation concealed.* Blinding blinded (outcome assessors).* Follow up period 2 years. Setting 6 centres in southern Sweden. Patients 259 patients 18–80 years of age (mean age 55 y, 64% women) who were starting treatment with a first DMARD for active RA of ⩽1 year’s duration. Patients with previous DMARD or glucocorticoid treatment, low bone mineral density (BMD), or a history of fragility fracture were excluded. Interventions prednisolone, 7.5 mg daily for 2 years (n = 124), or no prednisolone (n = 135). The choice of DMARD (mainly methotrexate or sulfasalazine) was at the attending physician’s discretion. All patients also received calcium, 1000 mg daily. Outcomes change in joint damage in the hands and … ER -